Job 14

1Man born of a woman has few days and is full of turmoil.

2He emerges like a blossom and is cut off, fleeing like a shadow without enduring.

3Do you even open your eyes upon this one, and bring me into judgment with you?

4Who can bring a clean one from an unclean? Not one.

5Since his days are fixed, the number of his months is with you; you have appointed his bound and his decrees that he cannot pass.

6Turn your gaze from him, that he may rest until he completes his day like a hireling.

7For a tree there is hope: if it is cut down, it will still renew, and its fresh shoot will not fail.

8Though its root ages in the earth, and its stock dies in the dust.

9At the scent of water it will blossom and produce boughs like a plant.

10Man dies and grows weak; indeed, man expires, and where is he?

11As the waters fail from the sea, and the river becomes desolate and dries up.

12So man lies down and does not arise until the heavens are gone; they will not wake nor rouse from their sleep.

13Who will grant that you hide me in Sheol, conceal me until your anger turns, appoint an appointed time for me, and remember me!

14If a man dies, will he live? I will wait through all the days of my hard service until my relief comes.

15You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands.

16But now you count my steps; do you not keep watch over my sin?

17My transgression is sealed in a bundle, and you sew over my iniquity.

18Yet a falling mountain decays, and a rock moves from its place.

19Waters wear down stones; it washes away what grows from the dust of the earth, and you destroy man's hope.

20You prevail over him forever, and he departs. You alter his face and send him away.

21His sons are honored, but he does not know it, and they are brought low, but he does not perceive it of them.

22But his flesh pains him, and his soul mourns over him.